Responding to a topic from a knowledgeable position is not as easy as it sounds. Most of us have an instinct to react without much thought. Where do the ideas that form the basis of our positions on topics come from? They come from our parents, our schools/teachers, our neighbors, the tv we watch, the books we read and if we are involved in a faith based community, from their philosophy. As you get into college it is time to think about your thinking and to evaluate your thoughts. How you respond to uncomfortable topics speaks volumes about your integrity and maturity and your openness to listen to positions that do not align with your thoughts and beliefs. One of the GREAT things about attending college is being exposed to and being asked to consider OTHER positions.
For this assignment you are going to be thinking through your position on the ban on hiring smokers. Dayton area hospitals test for nicotine as part of your pre-employment drug screening (and some do random checking of their employees to see if they are complying). If you are smoker, you are either NOT going to get hired or you will pay higher health insurance premiums. You need to know NOW that this is the reality of choosing to work in the healthcare field. Whether you agree or disagree with this, it is something that we are going to have you think through using a critical thinking process.
2. Discuss why the facts both supporting and opposing are important to the topic. There are at least two sides to every topic. What significant facts support each side? (minimum 50 words supporting AND minimum 50 words opposing) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement)
3. Does the state of Ohio support or oppose the ban? Explain the legislation that state lawmakers tried to pass to protect smokers in the workplace. Next, define what it means to be an “at will” employment state. Describe how smoking in public might be influencing legislation, if at all. (minimum 100 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement)
4. There are 4 main hospital-based employers in the Dayton area. How is each system approaching this issue? (HINT: go to each network’s website.) Usually in the Human Resources section they will have a statement on hiring of tobacco users OR do a search of the site. For each system below, visit the network website and select the Human Resources tab. Find and copy their guidelines regarding smoking in the workplace, employment pre-testing, and any subsequent assistance offered to candidates that desire assistance in smoking cessation in order to qualify for employment. Will they hire you if you currently smoke? Remember these are potentially your future employers.
● Premier Health Network
● Kettering Health Network
● Children’s Medical Center
● Veterans Administration Hospital
Step 3 – Examine Your Thinking
You have completed your research so now you have a good idea of the facts the support or oppose this action, where the law is on this, and what your potential future employers are doing on this issue. Now it is time to revisit your initial statement.
1. Looking at your original statement in section 1. What facts did you cite? Was your statement biased? If so how? (minimum 80 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement
2. Having done the research, restate your position bringing in the facts of the issue. It is okay to state your opinions, but make sure you label them as that. (minimum 80 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement
Step 4 – Before You Go…One Last Thing
One last thing, many students come to the conclusion they can no longer can support the ban on hiring smokers because smoking is a legal activity and whatever a person does in the privacy of their home should not impact whether or not they get hired or keep their job. There is nothing wrong with making that statement. However, based on that mindset, answer the following:
1. Should all legal substances be permitted to exist in your body while you are “on the clock” at your place of work? (Think things like alcohol, prescribed pain killers, etc) Do you feel, based on which substance there is, that you can or cannot have this in your system and still be effective at work. List the different substances that come to mind and state if you think it is okay to work in healthcare caring for patients with this in your systems and if not, how long a person should be substance free prior to reporting to work. (minimum 80 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement
2. Apply this to the legalization of recreational use of marijuana and state your recommended guidelines for abstinence prior to reporting to work. (minimum 80 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement
3. Now apply this to the medical marijuana law that has now passed in Ohio. Does the fact it is “medical” make a difference in your answer. State your response now based on medical marijuana. (minimum 80 words) Put (word count: ) at end of each section to show you met requirement
